DÉCOR to Measure Fidelity of Implementation for Behavior Interventions

Abstract

The effectiveness of behavioral interventions can be dependent on the fidelity with which practitioners design and implement those methods. Fidelity refers to the degree to which interventions are implemented as intended. Interventions implemented with low fidelity do not achieve anticipated results with students, whereas high-fidelity interventions yield desired gains. In this article, DÉCOR is described as a fidelity design and implementation process used between a fidelity coach, someone who knows how to implement the intervention, and the practitioner who will be implementing the intervention. Behavior-specific praise in a middle school setting is used in a DÉCOR scenario as an exemplar of a research-based practice. DÉCOR can be used with all research-based practices across all grade levels.

Keywords:

• Intervention
• fidelity of treatment
• implementation
• research-to-practice